Hours after the tragic passing of Nationalist Congress Party leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the state government announced a three-day state mourning period in his honour. According to the official circular, the National Flag will remain at half-mast across the state during this time. While a detailed notification is still awaited, the mourning period is intended to mark respect for Pawar’s long political career and contribution to public life. During this phase, official programmes and celebrations are expected to be suspended as a mark of collective grief across Maharashtra.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "Today we have declared a state holiday, and three days of state mourning have also been announced. This is a completely irreparable loss for the whole state of Maharashtra."
What is likely to remain closed during state mourning:• Government offices are expected to stay shut, with all departments remaining closed on the first day of mourning.• Schools and colleges are likely to suspend academic activities during the period.• No official entertainment programmes, cultural events, or government-hosted celebrations will be organised until the mourning concludes.
Also Read: Baramati Bandh: Shops Shut, Markets Closed as Pune's City Mourns Ajit Pawar’s Demise
What is likely to remain open:• Essential services such as hospitals, ambulance services, fire brigades, police departments, milk supply, and media offices will continue functioning.• Private and multinational companies are expected to operate as usual.• Public transport services including railways and buses will remain operational.• Shops, markets, and retail outlets are also expected to stay open.
The news of Ajit Pawar’s fatal plane crash spread rapidly, plunging Baramati into silence as shops and markets voluntarily shut down. Deeply shaken residents gathered in large numbers at the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Government Medical College, with many NCP workers and supporters breaking down in grief. Thousands of people from nearby villages began arriving in the city, while police deployed heavy security to manage the swelling crowd. The twin-engine jet VT-SSK was carrying Pawar, his Personal Security Officer, and an attendant. Emergency teams rushed to the site, as preliminary reports suggested the aircraft lost altitude before crash-landing within airport limits.